Posted on 11/02/2013 8:56:09 AM PDT by ThE_RiPpEr.
In recent months, a loosely coordinated band of activists have displayed anti-Obama signs from atop overpasses across the U.S. After one town cracked down on the practice, conservatives involved in the movement are crying foul.
Officials in Campbell, Wis. recently passed legislation that specifically targets signage displayed within 100 feet of a bridge, precisely the areas targeted by the so-called “Overpasses for Impeachment” campaign.
Town Chairman Scott Johnson claims the decision stemmed from “them distracting people,” which he said “constituted a safety risk.”
Despite insistence that the new laws are designed to combat distracted driving, Tea Party-aligned activists naturally feel that they are being targeted. With permanent signs displayed on countless overpasses and individuals holding roadside banners for any number of causes, there seems to be little evidence these protesters are any more distracting than other highway diversions.
One individual’s attempt to simply display a flag from the town’s pedestrian bridge earned a $132 citation. Additionally, when protesters tried to work within the constraints of the law by wearing shirts that spell out “IMPEACH” instead of holding signs, police came in to disperse the activists.
Local resident Tony Curtis said that the town is “hiding behind safety as an excuse,” explaining that protesters were told they could engage in free speech provided they found another location. The bridge, however, provides the greatest platform through which they can engage the public.
Campbell lawmakers, many in the group feel, are attempting to stifle the right to express a conservative opinion. The use of city ordinances to outlaw these effective protests could ultimately catch on, leading to similar outcomes in other communities.
In response to what they say is discriminatory behavior, Tea Party activists in the vicinity are considering taking legal action against Campbell.
Governments have long used the power of lawmaking to keep dissension in check. The First Amendment to our Constitution, however, provides each citizen the right to publicly express his or her opinion.
Hopefully, this case will ultimately set a precedent, making it harder for municipalities to stifle free speech based on political ideology.
More information and video's of the events can be found here:
http://www.lacrosseteaparty.com/
We need your support to put pressure on these tyrants.
I will be happy to answer any of your questions.
are billboards legal in that locale?
if so, there’s the precedent for legal action against the town censors
Sounds like there could be cause, that's for sure.
Petty small-town tyrants trying to impress their Hero?
The ALL the signs visible from the highway, advertising everything from Big Mac's to Motels and elections, exits, fuel stops, intersections and especially those lighted blinking road hazard warnings are also "Distracting". IOW you are what you are, a political hack Johnson.
Costs fifty bucks to file suit.
What are you waiting for?
Then all speed, warning, and informational signs the government posts, need to be removed.
If signs are too distracting, then they must be done away with.
Most of today's soft tyranny is justified by "safety" for one group or another. It's either for "the children" or "the poor" or one "minority" or another. People who value safety over freedom will soon find neither, only the cruel studded boot of a tyrant.
Massachusetts Department of Transportation tried this trick a few years ago because the Lefties that run the state didn’t like displays of Patriotism for returning Vets....they cited “Safety Concerns” as well......I’m not sure of what happened behind the scenes, but the Leftist/Safetycrats lost that battle. These petty Fascists need to be chastised with the 1st Amendment.
Heir Hero...
Test it. Put up signs that say things like
All hail to our glorious President Obama! The greatest genius of all time!
and
Obama is God!
If those things stay up then you file suit immediately.
Why is it that with liberals, from the Soviet Union, China, and Hitler’s Germany, that their ideas always end up with fences?
“Scott Johnson “
You guys need to add signs demanding a recall of this communist!
Wouldn’t be any risk if Bush was in office.
The Town of Campbell Wisconsin is uniquely situated on an island along the Mississippi river. The I-90 interstate divides the island in two.
The pedestrian overpass is the only safe location to reach an audience of this size.
These tyrants have also passed an ordinance only allowing ONE 1 foot by 2 foot sign for free speech on your own property - while allowing much larger and plentiful signs for commercial speech and candidates running for election.
Town of Campbell is basically an island in the Missisisippi near LaCrosse, which is one of the blue blotches on rural Wisconsin. Republican State Rep. Dan Kapanke was removed from office by a successful recall in this district for supporting Gov. Walkers reforms.
1 - Put a sign on one bridge that says “Support Obama”.
2 - Put a sign on another bridge that says “Impeach Obama”.
3 - Wait for selective enforcement.
4 - Get a good Lawyer
5 - Sue them for every penny they have
They have allowed the Democrat party to be on the overpass to promote candidates and remind their base to vote on election day.
Nope ... no bias here.
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